I was at a convenience store the other day buying the usual – beef jerky and Mountain Dew – when I noticed the pen at the checkout counter. The storeowner had Scotch-taped a white plastic spoon to the pen, figuring that customers will be less likely to forgetfully leave with the pen after signing a check or credit card slip. (Unfortunately, the practice doesn’t always work. I know a guy whose glove box is filled with pens and white plastic spoons.)
Well, it’s the beginning of another new year and in spite of a less-than-promising track record, many of us have made resolutions to change the way we live and to make those changes last beyond the first week of January. Without a doubt, the most common resolution has to do with our diet. Whether you are trying to lose those few extra pounds or just trying to include more vegetables and fruits in our daily diet, getting your whole family on board is essential to your success and to your family’s good health. If your kids are anything like mine, this is no easy task.
Success in school starts long before a child enters the classroom. We know that families lay the foundation for all future learning by spending time with their child, doing lots of talking and reading stories aloud. But families often wonder what a typical 5-year-old knows, or should know, the first day of school. There are readiness skills for kindergarten, which are not requirements, but learning goals. Not every child will hit every goal – a child may be high on some skills and low on others, but what we do know is children who are taught these skills at home by their families get off to a great start at school. Studies show that student who start ahead, stay ahead, year after year.
Cold and flu season is here and some of our most vulnerable are at risk of contracting respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, a major cause of respiratory illness in young children. Dr. Fadi Aljabi, with MultiCare’s Mary Bridge Pediatric Care at Good Samaritan, helps parents understand this infection and how they can help their little one feel better.
The Courier-Herald features the Community Click page the first issue of each month.
Joel Roberts, a 2000 graduate of Sumner High School, graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in civil engineering on Dec. 17, 2008. He was the valedictorian, summa cum laude, for his class with the highest grade-point average of 4.0. He delivered the speech to his class at the graduation. He is a member of the Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society. Future job opportunities will place him in either Hawaii or North Carolina.
Bonney Lake resident Mahlon Dewey, 85, died Dec. 30, 2008.
Carrie Olson has perhaps the sweetest job in the regon.
Snow, ice and cold, oh my! So what has the freezing weather done to your plants? I know this much for sure – some are dead, some are fine and some will survive only after you cut them back and allow them to regrow from the roots. What I can’t say for sure is what plants will be reborn in the spring and what plants will be compost.
• Lake Tapps Elementary will host PlayJude Drama, a Friday afternoon drama program for students 6 to 11 years old, from 1:15 to 2:45 p.m. Friday through Feb. 13. The final performance will take place at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 13. Judy Kurtz will direct the musical, “Three of a Kind.” – which adds up to bears. The story involves the hilarious search for Baby Bear while each of the cast members listens carefully to come to his rescue. PlayJude Drama will also present “How Does Your Garden Grow?” Feb. 27 through April 3. The cost to enroll is $60. For information, call 253-569-1112.
Backed by Sam Lovelace’s championship, the White River High girls wrestling team captured fifth place out of 20 teams at the Elma tournament Saturday.
